Direction signal for automobiles



Mmh 10, 1925. 5 1,529,551

W. H. SCHMITZ DIRECTION SIGNAL FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed May 17, 1924 Z, PW, I r R% I! /d HI 1 a f h ll'lllll A? @3111" l I -/4r 'm 4 i! I /z r Z0 45 or o 7 i r x 5 4 z? a. 71mm WH Scm .NVENTOR Patented Mar. 10, 1925.

V UNITED STATES WILLIAM H. SCHMITZ,

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. Sonairrz, a citizen of the United States of America,

residing at Flint, in the county ofGenesee and State of Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Direction Signals for Automobiles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates toimprovements in motor vehicle signalling devices and primarily of the type adapted for indicating intended operations of the vehicle.

The primary object of the invention resides in the provision of a device of the above stated character wherein the signal generally is so constructed to facilitate the installation thereof on closed cars to obviate the necessity of the operator lowering the car window when displaying a signal.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for collapsing or expanding the index part of the signal in a simple, effective and expeditious manner.

The invention consists of the features of 1 construction, combination and arrangement of parts herein fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a detail side elevation illustrating the application of the signal to a motor vehicle.

Figure 2 is a detail vertical section of the signal collapsed within the housing.

Figure 3 is a view similar to- Figure 2 illustrating the signal expanded, and

Figure 4: is a sectional view taken on lin 4-l of Figure 3.

Similar numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Referring more particularly to the accompanying drawing A denotes the body portion of a motor vehicle of the closed type provided with a slot or opening B. Secured to the exterior portion of the body A and directly over the opening B formed therein, is a housing 1. This housing is of substantially rectangular formation and preferably constructed from a single blank of sheet metal, or the like material comprising side walls 2, end walls 3, a closed'rear wall 4 and an open front end 5. The rear wall 4 of the casing lis provided with a slot 6 adapted to register with the opening B of the vehicle body, when the signalling device is installed for use.

OF FLINT, MICHIGAN.

roe AUTOMOBILES.

1924. Serial No. 714,107. 1

An indicating device as a hand 7 is secured to the free end of a lazy-tong arm 7', While. a A

the oppositeend of the frame of the lany-l tong arm or structure is secured to the 111.- ner surface of one of the side Walls 2 of the housing'as denoted by the character 8.. One

of the side walls 2 of the housing has formed therein a-ho-rizontally disposed slot 9 terminating short of the open end ;of the housing, and at a point adjacentthe lower end wall thereto and the purpose of this slot'will be hereinafter more fully set forth. A channel plate 10 has its opposite longitudinal flanges 11 riveted or otherwise suitably 'secured to the exterior portion of one of the side walls of the casing in order that the slot 9 may be concealed and lending to the casing a neat and attractive appearance.

The essential characteristic of the invention resides in the provision of an improved operating means 12 and of such a character to facilitate the operation of the indicating device by the operator of the vehiclewithout the necessity of lowering the window of the vehicle. To this end, use is made of a pitman 13 pivotally secured at one end to a bolt let and retained thereon by a nut 15. In order that the indicating device'may be operated as the occasion demands, the bolt 14 is movably mounted within the slot 9 of the housing and extended through portions of the lazy-tong structure. 16 denotes a face plate secured in any suitable manner to the inner face of the body portion of the vehicle and is provided with a vertically ar ranged slot 17 adaptedv to register with the slot 6 of the housing and the opening B of the body portion A. An operating lever 18 is employed for extending or collapsing the signal device and this operating lever is provided at one end thereof with laterally extending trunnions 19 journaled in a'bearingplate 20 for rocking movement. ,A crank handle 21 is formed integral with one of the trunnions 19 of the operating lever. The lower or free end of the operating lever 18 is pivotally connected as at '22 to the free end of said pitman 13, consequently when desiring to extend the signal device the operator of the vehicle by merely grasping the crank handle 21 will rock the operating lever 16 within the slots of the face plate, the body portion B and also the slot 6 of the housing 1 and by so doing the said pitman '13 is moved in a'direction toward the front open nov end of the casing and the indicating: device is displayed inffull' gopenposition. From the foregoing "structure, 1t 1s a1so=- obvious that the signalling device may be collapsed when the operating lever 18-is restored to the position, better shown in Figure 2 of the drawing. 7

WVhile it is believed that from the foregoing description, the nature and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent, I desireto have it understood that I'do not limit myself to what'is herein shown and de sc'ribed,a11d that-such changes'mayibe 'resorted to when desired as fall withinthe portion-thereof, a plate'havingan openin aligning 'with the opening of the and secured'to the interiorportion' of saidbody, ahousing secured' exteriorly to theb'ody and provided with an opening aligning with the opening -inthe-body, a signalling device secured within the housing, and means for op 'erating said'signalling device to either extended or collapsed position, said means comprising an operating lever journaled on the interior face of the said plate for vertical rocking movement, a handle formed on one-end of the operating lever, a pitman having connection at one end with said operating'lever and-atits opposite end with the-signalling device and means extending through aportionof the signalling device and saidcasing for slidably associating the pitma-n with the latter.

' In testimony' whereof alfix signature.

'YVILLIAM H. SCHMITZ. 

